Villarreal suffers first defeat, Bilbao held

MADRID: Villarreal spurned the chance to move up to third in La Liga as Eibar struck twice in the final 10 minutes to inflict their first league defeat of the season 2-1 on Sunday (Monday in Manila).

Celta Vigo blew a three-goal lead in a pulsating 3-3 draw at Las Palmas, whilst Athletic Bilbao remain seventh after being held 1-1 at home by Osasuna.

A penalty from Villarreal captain Bruno put the visitors in front at Ipurua just before half-time.

Heroics from goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo then looked set to seal the points for Villarreal, but he was finally beaten by Ivan Ramis’s powerful header 10 minutes from time.

And with Villarreal looking for the winner, they were caught on the counter-attack as Sergi Enrich teed up Pedro Leon to drive home his fourth goal of the season.

Defeat leaves Villarreal in fifth, now five points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

Athletic failed to make much ground on Villarreal in the fight for European places.

Eibar’s defender Ivan Ramis (bottom) falls down beside Villarreal’s midfielder Samuel Castillejo during the Spanish league football match between SD Eibar and Villarreal CF at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar on Monday. AFP PHOTO

Raul Garcia cancelled out Oriol Riera’s opener for Osasuna before half-time, but a point leaves Athletic in seventh.

The game of the weekend came in the Canary Islands as Las Palmas stormed back from conceding three times in the opening 21 minutes.

Daniel Wass’s fiercely struck free-kick and an Iago Aspas double put Celta on course for a comfortable three points.

However, Pedro Bigas pulled a goal back just after half-time before Celta were reduced to 10 men when Sergi Gomez saw a second yellow card in conceding a penalty.

Jonathan Viera converted from the spot and Kevin-Prince Boateng completed the comeback with 22 minutes remaining.

However, Las Palmas failed turn their numerical advantage into a winner as their winless streak stretched to five games.

Real Betis boss Gustavo Poyet’s future looks uncertain after his side lost 1-0 at home to Espanyol.

Mexican defender Diego Reyes scored the only goal just after the hour mark to hand Quique Sanchez Flores’s men just their second win of the season.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were all victorious on Saturday to leave the top three separated by three points.